How to Locate Big Cats Breeders

When you're on the market for big cats as pets, such as lions, tigers, leopards and bobcats, you have to be selective. There are black market concerns about big cats as well as how to locate reputable breeders who legally obtain these animals. You also need to make sure you are properly licensed to house big cats in your area, so consider this decision carefully.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Locate Big Cats Breeders

1. Talk with your veterinarian about finding a big cat breeder. Because you need a veterinarian willing to take care of big cats, chances are she may already know someone who has purchased big cats from a breeder.

2. Ask your veterinarian to put you in contact with clients he has who own big cats, since people who have purchased big cats will have a better handle on working with big cat breeders.

3. Talk to breeders outside of the breed of cat you are looking for. Just because one breeder you come across breeds only bobcats, do not discount her knowledge of leopard breeders.

4. Call a big cat rescue agency for information on reputable breeders. Even though you are looking to locate a breeder and not a rescue cat, the staff at the agency may know some reputable breeders and have their contact information.

5. Contact the Better Business Bureau, or BBB (see Resources below). By locating a big cat breeder through the BBB, you can also find out about the breeder's business practices. The BBB website will allow you to search for a breeder up to 100 miles from your zip code.

6. Ask your local zoo where it receives animals from. Some zoos purchase their animals from private breeders. Zookeepers may provide you with names and contact information for big cat breeders, they may also shed light on owning your big cat.

7. Contact the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (see Resources below). Here you can request information from a multitude of registered breeders and see pictures of their cats.

Tips & Warnings

• Spend time with your future big cat, to see what it is like at play. You will also want to look to see how it interacts with others at play.
• Ask to see at least one of the parents when visiting a breeder. A true big cat breeder who is interested in the well-being of the cat will have one, if not both, parents on the premises. Usually the mother cat is kept with the kittens until they are weaned.
• Not all of the cats listed on the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry are large cats. It is up to the individual breeder what type of cat they are breeding and registering.

Resources

• The Better Business Bureau for big cat breeder information
• The Rare and Exotic Feline Registry for registered big cat breeders